Goals & Objectives

• Use an almanac to look up statistics• Examine encyclopedia entries to find

information• Compare and Contrast the benefits of

using a search engine, almanac and encyclopedia

• Identify the best research source for information

• What is the best place to locate information?• Is it important to have a valid resource? Why

or why not?• How do we know which resource is good to

use?• Does length or amount of resource mean that

the resource is good to use?

Almanacs contain statistics and facts. They are published annually and are excellent resources to locate numerical data.

When using an almanac it is best to start in the index or table of contents to locate information

ALMANAC EXAMPLE

• Research Question– Which state had the highest graduation rates

during the 2004-05 school year? The lowest?

– WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING IS THE BEST KEYWORD?

• Education• State• Dropout• School • Diploma

Forged By Fire Example

• Gerald and Angel are abused by their stepfather/father in Forged By Fire. Their mother is for the most part a single parent. Using the almanac identify the following:

• KEYWORD “Children”– What percentage of black children lived with

both parents in 1970? 2007?

ENCYCLOPEDIA

• Encyclopedias provide information in a concise format. They are good for basic facts and to gather notable data.

• Encyclopedias do not always have information on your topic.

ENCYCLOPEDIA EXAMPLE

• RESEARCH QUESTION– What is crime? What are types of crime?

• http://www.worldbookonline.com/wb/Home

• Crime is a term that means something is against the law..

Forged By Fire Example

• Paraphrase your answers.

• What is child abuse?

• Identify five examples of child abuse.

SEARCH ENGINE

• The most used sources to locate information. Popular search engines include Google, Ask and Yahoo.

• Advantages include numerous sources and easily accessible websites.

• Disadvantages include lack of credible sources and excessive results.

Web Path Express Search Engine

• Search for the keyword child abuse on Web Path Express.– How many results on Web Path Express?– How many results on Google?– How many results on World Book?

Difference?

Forged By Fire Example

• Use Google and World Book to locate information on the author of Forged By Fire.

• Use the search query Sharon M. Draper.

• Which tool provides the best results?

• How do you know which information source is credible?

1. Which of the following is the best source to find out about the boyhood of Walter Dean Myers?

a. www.walterdeanmyers.net/bio A brief biography of Walter Dean Myers

b. Bad Boy: A Memoir A memoir of Walter Dean Myers’ childhood

c. “Myers, Walter Dean.” World Book Online Reference Center An encyclopedia entry about Walter Dean Myers

2. Which of the following would be the best source to identify the marital status of the U.S. Population?

a.Atlas

b.Almanac

c. Encyclopedia

d. Internet

3.What would be the best search keyword(s) to research information on wind power?

a. Alternative Energy

b. Wind Turbines

c. Wind Energy

d. Wind